The Joint Commission on the outstanding issues between Bulgaria and Turkey met in Sofia
18 December 2013 News
The fourth meeting of the Joint Commission on the outstanding issues between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey was held today in Sofia. The meeting of the expert working groups took place under the joint coordination of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the two countries - Todor Churov and Feridun Sinirlioğlu.
Bulgaria and Turkey are two neighboring, allied and friendly countries. There is no alternative of the good bilateral relations not only for cooperation, but also for the security and stability of the whole region, said Deputy Minister Todor Churov at the opening of the meeting. He emphasized that the Bulgarian-Turkish relations are in their best condition for the last decade, for which certainly contributes the work of the Joint Commission. "Bulgaria evaluates the Joint Commission as an example of good practice and a mechanism for enhancing and strengthening confidence," said Deputy Minister Churov.
On his part, Deputy Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu pointed out that Bulgaria and Turkey are not only good neighbors, but also allies that are cooperating in various fields. He referred to the decision of the Bulgarian government to introduce visa facilitation for Turkish citizens as an act with a positive impact on the development of the bilateral dialogue. Utilizing the mechanisms of the Joint Commission will further strengthen our relations, said Deputy Minister Sinirlioğlu, emphasizing the mutual desire for their expansion in the economic field.
The meeting was held in constructive manner, seeking mutually beneficial and effective solutions of expert group's issues that are for long present in the bilateral relations. The Bulgarian and the Turkish sides abided by the established framework positions of their countries.
Both sides achieved positive results on several issues and confirmed their positions to further seek progress in the Group on property and social issues, the Group on issues related to water infrastructure; the Group on the implementation of the Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey on the determination of the boundary in the mouth area of the Rezovska river and delimitation of the maritime areas between the two states in the Black Sea. Positive developments for the both countries are expected as a result of the efficient work of the Group on cross-border radio interference in the Southern Black Sea should lead to certain positive results for the both countries.
During his visit, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Feridun Sinirlioğlu was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin, as well as the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Todor Churov and Angel Velichkov.
Minister Vigenin and Deputy Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu discussed bilateral issues, as well as the regional cooperation. They exchanged views about the current situation in Syria and the expectations about the meeting in Montreux in January 2014.The Bulgarian Foreign Minister underlined Bulgaria's support for the process of Turkey’s EU accession.
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